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Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
By: Michael Mike
Deputy President Of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau has been elected 1st Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS Parliament) during the inauguration of the 6th Legislature of the regional bloc.
The 6th Legislature was inaugurated by the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is also the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the regional body in accordance with the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the regional legislature in a ceremony which was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The substantive Speaker of the regional legislature was unable to be elected following the inability of Togo, which the position was zoned, to produce the Speaker due to the political situation in the country.
Barau was nominated by Nigerian member of Parliament, Awaji- Inombek Dagomie Abiante, in a session presided by Liberia’s Edwin Snowe as interim Speaker. His nomination was seconded by another Nigerian member of Parliament, Senator Ireti Kingibe and he was voted unopposed.
The office of the Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament is usually reserved for Nigeria anytime the country is not presiding as Speaker of the Parliament.
Also elected as Second Deputy Speaker was Adjaratou Traore Coulibally from Cote d’Ivoire, who polled 54 votes to beat Cecile Ahoumnon from Benin, who got no single vote.
The position of the Third Deputy Speaker was won by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo- Markin from Ghana in a unanimous vote.
The Fourth Deputy Speaker position was won by Billay Tunkara from The Gambia with 47 votes beating Orlando Pereira Dias from Cabo Verde who got 7 votes.
Outgoing Speaker of the Parliament, Sidie Mohammed Tunis, thanked the regional body for the opportunity given him to serve for four years even as he reaffirmed his commitment to the regional body.
Tunis was appointed ceremonial speaker, following the gap that exists because Togo, the country to which the Speakership was zoned, as the country was not able to produce the Speaker due to some prevailing political situation.
Tunis however announced his intention to travel to Togo to see how best to get a Speaker, saying “I will proceed to Togo to have a conversion with the authorities there with a view to encouraging them to have their delegation inaugurated as soon as possible so that we can have a Speaker to run this institution. It is very, very important. There are so many things to do in the sub-region, and the ECOWAS Parliament has a very big role to play in the sub-region but they will not be able to do so without the Speaker.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in his address, noted that in the face of the various challenges confronting the region, including peace, stability, security, as well as the unity of the region, the role of the Parliament is more important than ever.
The Minister, who is also the chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, commended the outgoing 5th Legislature, especially its Speaker Mohamed Tunis, for their invaluable contributions to the ECOWAS Parliament and the Organization as a whole.
Tuggar said “it is, therefore, imperative that the Parliament continues to work in synergy with the ECOWAS Commission and other Institutions that serve as the executive and judicial arms of our governments”.
Nigeria’s Barau Elected 1st Deputy Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament
Bandits abduct four farmers in Tudun Moriki, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted four farmers in Tudun Moriki, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 11:30 a.m., when the victims were working on their farms on the outskirts of Tudun Moriki.
The bandits, who came armed, seized the farmers at gunpoint and whisked them away to an unknown destination.
One of the victims was identified as Salisu Ado, while the others have not been named at press time.
Confirming the incident, the Zamfara State Police Command said it had received the report from Moriki Division and had commenced efforts with other security agencies to rescue the abducted persons.
Bandits abduct four farmers in Tudun Moriki, Zamfara
Again, Bandits abduct 12 persons in Zamfara community amidst peace truce
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted 12 persons in Godai village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 3:41 a.m., when the gunmen stormed the community, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee in different directions.
In the process, 12 persons were abducted and taken toward Gyado Forest.
Confirming the incident, the Zamfara State Police Command said it received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bukkuyum Division and immediately deployed personnel to the area.
Sources said that military high command have been alerted while efforts have been intensified to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Again, Bandits abduct 12 persons in Zamfara community amidst peace truce
News
Despite peace deal, bandits abduct 40 worshippers during early morning prayers in Tsafe, Zamfara
Despite peace deal, bandits abduct 40 worshippers during early morning prayers in Tsafe, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Barely a day after reports of peace deals in parts of the North West, armed bandits struck again on Monday morning, abducting about 40 worshippers from a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from community sources that the attack occurred during dawn prayers at about 5:30 a.m., when the gunmen stormed the mosque, surrounded it, and whisked away the worshippers at gunpoint.
Local sources disclosed that the abductors later moved the captives into the forests around the Gohori axis in Tsafe.
The incident has thrown the rural community into confusion and despair, coming at a time when local leaders and some armed groups in Katsina and neighbouring states had reportedly entered into truces aimed at reducing attacks.
The attack pointed at the fragility of ongoing peace arrangements in the region, where heavily armed groups continue to operate with impunity despite dialogue initiatives.
“The bandits have no command, structure and control. You can negotiate with bandits in Katsina while they continue to strike in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna State, a local source told Zagazola.
As at the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation from security authorities in Zamfara State.
Despite peace deal, bandits abduct 40 worshippers during early morning prayers in Tsafe, Zamfara
Bandits kill woman, injured several others, rustle cattle in katsina community
Bandits abduct four farmers in Tudun Moriki, Zamfara
Again, Bandits abduct 12 persons in Zamfara community amidst peace truce
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